Hide treating apparatus



Feb- 16, 1954 R.'H. GRIFFIN HIDE TREATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed 00T.. 16, 1946 3mm Robert H. Griff/'n fissi R. H. GRIFFIN HIDE TREATING APPARATUS Feb. 16, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1946 Bnventor Feb. 16, 1954 R. H. GRIFFIN HIDE TREATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed Oct. 16, 1946 nooo o o o o his Cttorncg Feb. 16, 1954 R. H. GRn-'FIN 2,669,112

HIDE TREATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Imvcntor @Ob er t H. @riff/'n his Gttotnelj Patented F eb. 16, 1954 HIDE TREATING IAPPARATUS Robert HQGrimn, Crestwood, Yonkers, N. Y., os-

signor to'Tanners Research Corporation, New York, N.'Y., a corporation of Delaware Appli-mationv october 16, 194s, serial No. 703,571

lThis invention relates generally to the treatment of sheet material and more particularly to methods of and apparatus for automatically subjecting sheet material to a plurality of treatments as a continuous process. Whilethe invention will be described for purposes of illustration as applied to the treatment ofl hides,'it will be apparent that it is applicable to sheet material, generally.

`In treating hides, skins, pelts and the like, hereinafter generally termed hidesV and especially in subjecting them to the so-called beamhouse operations or treatments of unhairing, scudding, checking and leshing, it has heretofore been customary to perform'each operation i separately by. hand or on suitable individual machines. normally performed as a separate step requiring one or moreindividuals and the hides are carried manually or otherwise from one machine to the next until their treatment has been completed. When machinery is employed to perform these operations each machine is usually provided with a work-support in thel form cfa drum orsimilar means' to which a hide is clamped` 27 Claims. (QI. 69-42) Thus, each of these four operations is mechanicallyas it is'presente'd to the cutters or other working tools. lDue to the irregular shape ofv hides, a considerable portion, *Y sometimes as much as half of each hide, is enclosed vin themechanical clamps, requiring each operation to be performed in at least two stages, the second covering that portion of the hide held inthe grippersduring the'rst stage. These practices not only,` have made expenditures for Vequipment heavy, but have been extremely wasteful of manpower'.v As a result, several attempts have been made to devise means by .which thetreatmentk of hides can .be made a continuous operation.` While improvements over the separate step processes,

none has succeeded vin .eliminating many of the disadvantages of the oldpractice.'`

An object of the present invention is to pro,-

vide'an improved method of and "apparatus'ioi',

subjecting hides andother sheet material to a plurality of treatments as a continuous process.

An additionalobject of the invention, is to pro-` vide hide 'treating apparatus forfautomaticallysubjecting yhides to a plurality of treatments in which .each treatment is performed inv a single i rugged construction. Y I i y A further object of the invention is toVv provide stage and with a minimum number ofuparts of hldetreating apparatus for subjecting hides to 2 matically adjusted, enabling the apparatus to handle hides of varying shapes and conditions Without prior setting.

Another object of the invention is to provide hide treating apparatus in Which compensation is automatically made for variations in the thickness of each hide.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear hereinafter in the detailed description, be particularly pointed out in the appended claims and Villustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of an im- `proved hide treating apparatus embodying the present invention, with portions removed to more clearly illustrate the details of construction.

` Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the ap paratus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view on an enlarged scale of the central portion of Figure 2 with the cover of one ofthe vacuum chambers and other portions removed to more clearly illustrate the details of the mountings of the work-supporting drums and their associated treating devices.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale with portions removed of the end of the apparatus opposite that shown in Figures 2 and 3, illustrating certain of the details of the driving mechanism.

Figure 5 vis avertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the lines 5-5 of Fig ure l showing certain of the details of construction of the rst or lower drum and its associated structure.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the lines 6--8 of Figure 2 showing the details of constructionof one of the cutter reciprocating mechanisms.

Figure 7 is a iront elevational 'view on an enlarged scale of the lower section of the apparatus .with portions removed to more clearly illustrate the construction and arrangement of the fluid jets and automatic cutter operating means associated with the iirst work-supporting drum.

FigureA 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 8--8 -of Figure 5,-showing the details of construction of one of the Work-supporting drums and its mounting.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the hide treating apparatus.

Figure 10 illustrates diagrammatically an electrical and-uid pressure circuitfor automatically controlling vthe worktreating devices `associated -With either drum.

In the apparatus of thepresent invention the .ses

hides or other sheet material to be treated are preferably carried on work-supporting drums while being presented to the treating devices by which the desired processing is obtained. Depending upon the nature of the treatments one or more supporting drums are employed and the hides are presented to one or several treating devices. Theapparatus `is especially suited for subjecting hides to a series of treatments asa continuous process. When so employed two or more supporting rolls are arranged in succession, each having a plurality of associated treating devices to Which a hide is progressively presented, the hide being transferred from one roll to Athe )next as it travels through the apparatus. 'In the y embodiment of the invention shown for purposes of illustration, two supporting drums 4are employed, which with their associated `Working or processing devices, are adapted to treat both farces of a hide as it travels through the apparatus. While capable of other vtreatments the illustrated machine particularly lends itself to performing ina single pass of a hide the beam-house treatments of unhairing, scudding'cheeking and iieshing Aby which excess material' is removed.

Referring now in detail'to the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which like reference characters indicate like parts, the improved hide treating apparatus is provided With a vsuitable frame l having spaced, rigidly connected supports, uprights or ends 2. On the supports are carried the" Work-supporting or holding drums or rolls and their associated structures. Since the illustrated embodiment has but two such Vdrums they Will be designated hereinafter as thefirst and second drums, numbered 3v and d, respectively, The supporting drums are rotatably mountedI on the supports 2 through suitable bearings. The drums are arranged successively to carry the hide and expose its opposite faces to treatment as the hide passes through the apparatus. As.` illustrated, this may be accomplished vby mounting the drums with their axes parallel and the second drum spaced above the first.

For introducing work into the apparatus there iS provided e Snitoble inlet or .feed Ineohonisrn, preferably in the form lof a belt conveyor 5 mountedon spaced rollers or bearings (i. At its inner end the conveyor or feeder beltli is adapted s to bear against or engage the `first work-supporting drum 3. To er'ialolev the pressure exerted eedinst thesnpportins drnrjn to be. vnriedl. the inner rollers '5 are connected to Vsuitable 'fluid pressure Cylinders l- Additionally the tension of the belt moy be odlnsted by lise oi suitable Spooers la.

In performing ih. seonenoe the hoorn-house treatments or operations` ofunhairing, scudding, creeking and rleshing for which the illustrated machine. .01 apparatus i5. Plllcllldlly deslglld a hide, designated as 8, is placed hair or grain Side'down" on the feeder belt 5., prefers-bly withA the hind Shnnlrs of thefhidev in the lend- The belty travelling. toward the nrst. drnlh .3, delivers. the hide to .the drinn to Whioh the hide then transferred To eorrelote the. preferred dirsotionS of movement oi the, belt and other Working ports, of the oppsrotns. oil. .Siloh 'movements will be described hereinafter as if viewed from` the near side of the apparatus as shown Figure 2, So viewed the belt'in moving toward thedrum, travels in a clockwise direction. Since the first drum treats the hair Vside of the hide its surface moves in the same direction as the surface of` the belt 5 at the place of transfer, the drum thus rotating in a counterclockwise direction, and receiving the hide with the flesh or inner face of the latter against the outer face of the drum.

A particular feature of the invention is the means by which a hide or other Work is gripped or held by the work-supporting drums. In place o f the usual mechanical ,clamps ithe drums 3 and 4 preferably utilize suction as the gripping means, thereby enabling each drum to present an entire face surface of a hide to its associated treating devices. Such suction may be obtained by lcobstructing .the drums in the manner illustrained. Since the ydrums are identical in structu1=.e9nly the first -drum will be described in defis shown in Figure 8, each of the drums is desirably formed as a hollow cylinder, having a :perforated or lporous 4substantially cylindrical side or work-carrying Wall 9, pierced or perforated byspaced holes, openings or perforations I0. At either end of the drnin'nre trnnnions, journals or shafts H and I 2 respectively, which are journoled lh dnd extend through bearings I3 Carried by the supports .2.- Oi these .shafts the shaft ll is in the form yof a hollow tube connecting the interior of the drum to,v a plllllp or other suitobile exhausting means. not shown, Overlyihs the open end of the hollow shaft Ill is an air.-

tight exhaust chamber I4 having .a vbell or dorne- Shaped oever plete or easing I5 nttoohed to the outside ofthe associated Snpport 2.,. the oholnber being oonneoted tothe exhausting ineens through Suitable exhaust ttinss |56- Approprinte Sealing Ineens snob os gaskets I1 ond I8 nrev interposed between the drum 3 and bearing i3 and the cover plato l5 .end nssooiotod sdpport 2.2 respe-otively, to make the connection air-tight. @n the application of a partial vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure to the interior of the drum by the exhnustine ineens, Shotion is exerted on the drlims outer surface through the holes or openings l0. thereby gripping or' holdingV the hide 8 to the. drum with equal or nniforlnfforoe over the entire area of the hide.

Positioned around the periphery of the .first drum 3 ih. spoeed stations dre thotreatine devioes by whioh o hide isnnheired and Studded. For this purpose there may be provided one or more,

but' preferably two, cutters or working tools rotats-bly mounted on the freine. I end hereinafter termed the rst and Second putters., numbered i9:

and 20, respeotirely- These. putters nre pneferdbly4 bldded cylinders so positioned on the frame. l that. their working fonos. lie. parallel to.- the fdoe of4 the drnrn dnd extend, Substantially thereooross... The iirst.. cutter ,1.9. stationed somewhat beyond the feeder belt .5. and the. Seeond ontter. .2,0Y further around the periphery of. the. drum.- 'lhe spacing between `the Cutters will very depending. nponthe. diameter of. the. drnmand. the Sizes. ofthe hides to be treated- For most. ohioient operation the spacing is such that. Slieh .ly more than one-half the. total length of o hide Will. poss beneath the second Cutter While the hide is Still. passing the station of the nrst cutter Theoutters. nre rototed ory driven. by suitable means. end moy be bladed in anymonner Satisfactory for performing thsreqnired unhsirine and.. Souddins operations.; the` preferred form beine.. the herringbone-typo. shown in which sets of helical blades 2| are opposed at the center, enabling them to lspread as Well as cut the hide.

Since the cutters I9 and 20 extend substantially across the face of the drum 3, and are-4 adapted to unhair ai hide completely in a single pass, provision is desirably made foruniformity off-such treatment over the Ventire outer surface ofthe hide.` For this purpose the work-carrying wall 9 of the drum is made resilient to enable it ,tov accommodate itself to variations in the thickness of the hide being treated. The desired resiliency may be obtained by forming the wall -of an outer section of rubber or like resilient material, bonded to and supported by an inner or backing plate or cylinder 22 of metal or other relatively rigid material. the resilient section may be formed of bonded layers of different consistency, the inner or pressure distributing portion or layer 23 being relatively porous and yielding and the outer or workengaging layer or coating 24 being relatively hard and tough. So formed-the work-carrying Wall will accommodate itself to any irregularities in the hide and present an even level surface to the cutters, thus distributing .the pressure of the latter-.equally over the entire hide and enabling the cutters to treat the hide uniformly.

Between the two cutters I9 and 2U is rotatably mounted a feederin the form of a grip roll 25 ofthe usual type. As shown, the hide-engaging surface of the grip roll is preferably provided with opposed ridges or serrations, enabling it to spread the hide as the latter is fed to the second cutter 20. Both thegrip roll and the feeder belt 5, by pressing the hide against the outer surface For wear resistance f 9 of the first drum 3, also assist the suction means in holding the hide to the drum. Since its main purpose is to spread and feed the hide to the second cutter, the grip roll is rotated clockwise so that the adjacent surfaces of the roll and drum move in the same direction.

In addition to the cutters I9 and 20, the work treating devices associated with the flrst drum 3 also preferably include a series of sets of nozzles or jets 2B stationed at spaced intervals around the periphery of the drum and positioned to direct flat jets or sprays 26a of water or other fluid under pressure against the hide as it passes each jet station. While shown directed counter the directionof travel of the hide and substantially tangential to its surface, the jets may be directed either in or counter the hides direction of -travel and at various angles with its surface, depending upon the character of the hide and the nature of the treatment. Each set of jets may be mounted on and supplied fluid under pressure through a pipe or conduit 2Gb extending across the face of the drum between the supports 2.A lWhile any satisfactory arrangement of nozzles may be employed, that preferred is to positionr one set between the feeder belt 5 and the first cutter I9, sets between the flrst and second cutters on either side of the grip roll 25 and an additional set beyond the second cutter. Inthe illustrated embodiment the fluid jets act jointly with the cutters I9 and 20, to sever and remove the vhair and other matter exposed to the cutters,A and alsodrive or shear oil scale and flush out hair follicles and other extraneous, excess o r undesired lmatter from the pores of the hide, the pressure under which the jets are applied thus being' at least sufficient tocause the jets to penetrate the surface of the hide. This joint action of the cutters and jets thoroughly andfeffeetively scuds a hide coincident with its unhairing. While illustrated jointly with the cutters, the fluid jets 26a. alone, usually under somewhat Vh-igher pressure, have been found an effective means of both unhairing and scudding. Insuch case, byyarying they pressure to suit the particular `type of' hide being treated, thel flat-A The spent fluid from the jets 26a is in part 4 drawn into the drum and carried off through means suitably arranged to prevent accumulation of the fluid within the drum. For catching the balance of the fluid there may be provided appropriate means such as a catch basin 21 `positioned to trap the spent fluid as it falls from the hide. Since the spent fluid contains hair as well as other valuable ingredients, it will normally be treated subsequently to recover its useful content as by-products, as well as to remove all foreign matter if recovery and recirculation of the fluid is desired.

As previously mentioned, the supporting drum 3 is adapted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Of the two cutters the second cutter 20 desirably rotates in a clockwise direction so that its surface adjacent or proximate the drum moves in the same direction as the confronting surface of the drum. 'I'he rst cutter I9 is desirably reversible and adapted to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise. In the preferred operation of the cutters the first cutter is made` tically eliminate any resultant force affecting Y travel of the hide. To obtain such action during processing of the hide means are provided for causing the two cutters to act on the hide concurrently. For this purpose the cutters I9 and 29 are mounted on the frame I through housings 28 in which the ends of the shafts of the cutters are appropriately journaled. The journal housings 28, in turn, are slidably seated in jaws or guideways 29 formed in each of the supports 2 and so positioned as to enable the cutters to be reciprocated relative to and preferably radially of the drum while maintaining the axes of the cutters substantially parallel to that of the drum 3. This reciprocal movement is preferably obtained through fluid pressure actuation by connecting each of the journal housings 28 to one end of a piston or connecting rod 2 30, carrying at its other end a piston 3l slidably seated in a fluid pressure cylinder 32, the upper and lower ends of the latter being connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure, not shown, through fittings or other connections 33. By control of the fluid pressure means the cutters can then be caused toI move toward and. away from the drum at will, as well as to exert any desired pressure on the hide when in hide-engaging position. In the latter position the fluid pressure mounting also serves 'as a yieldable means or cushion, enablingv the cutters to accommodate'hides of varying thickness, and cooperating with the resilient Work-carrying wall 9 of the drum to ensure uniformity of treatment of each hide. of the grip roll 25 is equally desirable and obtainable by supporting it on the frame through Yieldable or resilient mounting a. similar uuid pressure mounting oreiller suit` ablev cushioning '-nfieans.

h/ been placed 0'11 the feed Gon-A v'yor 51, 'provision preferably is made for au't0 m'tie 'ecmtirol of the apparatus in timed relation to' 'the' 'travel of the hide. This 'may be accomplished by use of photoelectr'ic cells, switches, or lilltfel automatic control mea-ns positioned te he tripped by the hide 'and 'cause actuation of the treating devices as the hide is carried past their st' ons by the Work-supporting drums'. `In the illi'i fated embodiment of 'the vinvention photoe1ecti-ie`ceilsareutilized forthis mariposa- While onecell located `along theperiphery of each drum inter' te its :cutters lwould suiiice, nicety of control .s increased uby employing tvvo cells, both mounted on 'the inside Iof the frame `'l at one end of the drum, the-firstfcell 34 positioned imnredi# atelyfollowing the virst cutter I9, andthe second cell 35 positioned in advance olf the second cutter '29. The Alight sources 36 `oi the 'cells are mounted at the Vopposite end of 'the drum and areso arranged that their beams of light Will pass freely `across the surface `of the drum to the associated cells 'only when the Ydrum is unencumbere'd.

|Ifhe two cells are connected `through a control circuit 31 tothec'uttei' reciprocating and driving ma'ns. A suitable electrical and fluid pressure circuit for each ffl-ruin isfshown in Figure '10. there illustrated, each `Y`off "the cells is connected throughvanappropriate amplifier 33 tola solenoid switch '39, 'the switches being arranged in series inthe control circuit andheld open so long 'as the Icellsare"energized bythe uninterrupted light bea-ins. yln the sa'rnecircuit are lfour solenoids Iiyeac'h operating 'a thre'e-'wayiair'val've theonnecte'd 'to 'an appropriate `air pressure source. Thevalv'esare arrangedin pairs, one pair of air valves -A'Ia being connected to the upper ends of the cutter -reciproeating iiuid pressure vcylinders 32 `o'neof the 'illustrated spaced ypairs of which is attach-ed :to eitlierend-of Seach ofthe cutters I 9 andi' 20 andthe 'other pair of lva'lvesfd ib` tothe lower ends vo'f the cylinders. of thetwofpairs 'of-'valves a'rereversed such that whenthecylindersare connect'edltothe air pressure ports'of-theair valvesof one pair, their'opposite f ends are open to lthe exhaust ports of 'the other'pai'r. In normal position, the solenoids ve!! then-being cie-energized, the loweror innerends oflthe'cylinders are=connected to the air pressure ports of=the cutterreleasing pai-r o'i valves 41h, and theiilupperlends to the exhaust ports of [the cutter applying pair lilla.. electric motors 1 i2 "or other 'actuating means Eby whichthe--cutters are driven orrotate'd may be operated continuously i through separate f circuits, they A'are f preferablyf'connected, "as shown, 1 in the sain-ecircuit with the photoelectriccells'SA and-35.

Withitheabove'controlcircu'it, the cutters I9 and 2U "are normally held in 'released position awayfrom'thedrum. `As a hide is carried' by the drum-3 itfthusfpasses freely' under Vthe first cutter fand `thereafter interrupts "the beam of' the Y rstsphotoelectric cell closing one'of thetwo switches '39 in the con-trol circuit. After "the leading-'edge of the hide has beenfengagedhy thefgrip roll 25 and before it reaches the 'station of the 1 second cutter 20, the hi-del interrupts the terfapplying yvalves 4la, andthe exhaust-"ports The portsor sides While vthe ofthe releasing valves 41h,- and causing the outy ters to move in simultaneously and engage the exposed sur-face of the hide. Closing oi the switches 39 actuates the cutter driving means i2 at the same time, causing the cutters to rotate and act upon the hide. If desired, suit ablev timing means can be interposed in th'efconfv trol circuit, enabling the` cutters to be caused to act on the hide both simultaneously and at spaced intervals; Asy lthe hide continues in its 'travel around the drum 3 its trailing edge reaches and releases the beam of the iiirst photoelectric cell* 34, opening its associated' switchl 39'k and, by de;- energizing the control circuit, stoppingtne .cut-.- ters and causing them to move awayl from the hide to released position. v

Since, :as previously pointed out, the first and second v'cutters IS and. '20 are stationed around the periphery of the drum, a distance less than lone-'half `.the length oi the hide, yeach cutter, during .its period .of engagement with the hide, treats one-half of the hides surface, the over.- la'p not only ensuring treatment of the entire outersurfa'ce of lthe `hide but .covering the' middie portion -of vthe hide on which `the most Work isire'quired. As kthehide is lalways interposed between the Acutters and the drum 3 when thecutters 'are 1in applied position, `the fluid 'pressure' cylinders S32 will aorda cushion, lenablingathe cutters 'to :accommodate :hides of fdiierentftliickness Without presettingbof the spacing vbetween the cutters and the drum. Thus, inadditionfto settingth'e speed ci the-motors f42, Yit is necessary only to set the .'nuid'pressure sources to Sapply `the Amost eiiicient 'pressure for `a :particular group of hides to lrender the operation of fthey cutters fully automatic. l/Vhileldescribed'in connecticn with .the :cutters fthe same or-a similar control .circuit .may be Aemployed to ycontrclactuation of the fuid'pressure "j ets 2`6a.

.In 'thefprec'eding portion of the specilicati-oriy tnerelhas been described Vthat part -offthelmechanism of .the `hide .treatingapparatus by .which a 'hide `is unhanedxand'scudded. The 4remain-- ingr treatments, :checking and fleshing, are per'- formedxin the second-'phase o'i the processi-by the treatingdevices -associatecl.with` the second worksupportingfdrumal as ithe latten carriesf thehide.v

Since the gripping force employed on both' drums is suction, it isn'ecessaryto` provide some means` for releasing the force von the ""rst drum tol enable r thef hide 'to'v be transf-erred to these@- cnd drum. This canibe accomplished-byimask- 'ing orblocking'roii from suction .that-portion or segment :of `tthe path. of f travel.y 'oi 'the surface Aof therrst: drum in which the two vdrums are'contiguous or adjacent. A`While .fa stationaryslip shield orthe likey mountedvivithinrthe first :drum

:would strinse, such masking :is readily accom# plishable :by mounting .inf the drum, -fstationarily relativer to'zthezframef l, al pipe -orlZ tube 43f carrying jetsifllrpositionedf to .direct 'fli'iid-v iets orfsprays Marat: that portion of theinnerf-surface of the drum within the: critical iareaf-ef s1ixed-rcnprecie 'termined extent in which the transfer-of the hide would be adversely affected by suctionl on the first drum. On operation of the jets, at a pressure sufcient to counterbalance or neutralize the suction within the drum over the critical area of separation, the hide is progressively released bythe vfirst drum 3 as it reaches the vcritical segment or area, enabling it'to be gripped freely by the second drum 4. Since the jets 44a. need operate only during actual transfer of a hide, a photoelectric cell or like means is prefjerably provided to limit their operation to that vlength of the hide to be treated, each thus being adapted to treat more than one-half of the total `flesh surface of the hide. The relative directions of rotation of the third and fourth cutters are also the same, the fourth cutter being adapted to rotate counterclockwise and the third cutter in either direction and preferablyclockwise. Similarly, the cutters 45 and 46 are lfluid .pressure mounted on the supports 2 and brought into engagement with thev flesh, side of the hide'by. photoelectric or other automatic control means the fourth cutter' being timed to enugageythe hide simultaneously with or4 in advance of the third cutter. :A plurality of grip rolls v4l similar in construction and operation to the grip roll 25 are provided, one preferably being positioned in advance of the third cutterI 45 and another intermediate the two cutters. The configuration of the blades of the cutters around the second drum will vary from that of the cut'- .ters around the first drum as necessary to perform the fleshing and cheekingoperations. As in the case of the rst drum, the second drum is preferably provided with jets 48 positioned to apply fluid sprays 48a under pressure against 'the flesh surface of the hide, the jetslikewise .being used either in conjunction with or in place of the cutters to completely cheek and flesh the 4hide, thus removing all extraneous matter as .Well asany foreign matter that mayhave become Aembedded in the surface of the hide. t i

.. Around the'periphery of the second drum. -4 beyond the fourth cutter 46 is the discharge means by which a processed hide is led from the apparatus. As illustrated, the discharge means may be in the form of, a continuous belt conveyor 49 similar to the feeder vconveyor 5 and likewise mounted on rollers 50 adapted to beadjusted by spacers to maintain the vproper. ten.- sion on the conveyor belt. To .direct the hide from the second drum to the discharge conveyor there may be provided a wedge-.shaped scoop 5l positioned to underride the hide after it passes the fourth cutter. 46 and direct it to the discharge conveyor. To simplify the. task of transfer from thesecond drum tothe conveyor thecritical transfer area may be blocked off by suitable means such as described in connection with the first drum. v'

1 The various rotary hide supporting and treating members of the 'apparatus previously de .I

tion of the cutters.

(associated treating devices. .2b` are removably seated on the lower sections 2a such` that thesecond drum and its associated 1G scribed may be driven or actuated inj any suitable manner. While the several' driven mem,- b'ers may be actuated by one or more sources of .power through suitable connections, individual `motors are 4preferably provided for the rotary treating devices to facilitate automatic actua- The cutters le, 2B, 45 and 46 may be driven by individual electric motors 42 and the grip rolls 25 and 4l by similar motors 42a,l the motors being connected to the members by flexible shafts or, as illustrated, mounted on the journal housings 28 carrying one end of each of the rotary members, those driving the cutters preferably being Wired in the control circuit 31. Depending on their range of speeds Vsuch motors may. be connected directly or through gearing to the shafts of the rotary .members. While the relative size of the two worksupporting drums 3 and 4 may vary overa wide range, depending upon the treatments to be applied, they will normally have the same peripheral speeds iso-facilitate transfer of a hide from the rst to the second drum. In such case .they may be intergeared, as illustrated, by the gears 52 and 52a, and driven from a single source'of power, not shown, through asuitable pulley 53 or like arrangement.. The conveyors 5 and 49 may be driven at the desired speeds either Aby individual motors or, by using suitable power connections, through either or both of the drums. The peripheral speeds. of the cutters and grip rolls relative to those. of the drums will vary with the type of hide being treated. Normally the surface or peripheral speeds of the gripA rolls vv will be substantially the vsame .as those of the drumswhile the cutters will be driven at a considerably higher speed. y v- -Y With the. relative flexibility ofits variouselements the, hide treating apparatus can handle automatically ,hides of a variety of types and conditions. "However, this flexibilityv is prefere ably increased, byproviding for the substitution vof parts of different characteristics as well as for any repairs or replacements. vTo simplify such adjustment. vthe supports 2y of the frame I are made in twoparts or sections 2a and 2b, each ,mounting one of the drums 3 and 4 and its The upper sections parts canbe removed as a unit and. replaced as desired bya like ordifferent unit. For change of individual parts the ends of the drums may becarried by bearing plates 54 removably4 attached tothe upper and lower sections of the frame,- theirremoval providing.. acentral opening -through which'the drums. and other rotating parts ..can.lbe withdrawn.. The .use cfa-two- -part frame also provides. a readyfmeans for. varying .the spacing' or clearance between the drums to accommodate hides of different thickness by ,interposing spacers or shims between the upper fand lower sections ofthe frame. i The hide treating process in its entirety and the `relation .between the various parts ofthe ,apparatus `areillustrated schematically in Figvure v9.. As there, shown, a. hide 8 is introduced .into the apparatus through the feed conveyor `5 .from which it is transferred to the first worksupp'orting drum 3. The latten gripping the flesh surface of. the hide by vacuum, turns counterclockwse and in process carries-the leading edge of the hide freely past the station of the first cutter. I9 and into the pathof the beam ,of the "rst photoelectric c'ell'f3'4, interrupting the latter. The hide is then engaged by the grip roll 25 'by which it is spread and fed toward the :station of the second cutter 20. `As the 'hide approaches vthe 'second cutter station it interrupts the beam oi the second photoelectric cell *.35 operating the cutter `actuating' means, closing the control circuit 31 andcausing both cutters to Inve in `and begin treating the grain surface ci the hide. This treatment continues until the trailing edge of the hide passes the iirs't photoele'ctric cell 34, restoring the beam 'of vthe latter and 'thus breaking the circuit .and causing the cutters to stop and Inove away from the surface vof the hide. -.During this .period the vgrain sur- 'face of the hide is 'also subjected 'to the high pressure iiuid jets 44a issuing from various nozzles M, the jets cooperating with the cutters to unhair and 'scud the entire hide. n

yPast the station of the second cutter thel'eading edge of the hide approaches the secondworksupporting drum 1i. As the hide reaches the vritical area adjacent the point 'of convergence of `the two drums, suction is cut en from that part v'of the surface 'of the first drum 3 andthe :leading edge ofthe hide is section-gripped by the .second drum. In the process of transfer the surfaces o"f 'the hide exposed are reversed, the cleaned vgrain `surface being gripped against the fface Yof the second drum and 'the 'ilesh surface exposed to the associated treating devices. 'Rotating clockwise, the second drum carries the hide through its several Work-gripping'and treating stations lWhere excess nesh is removed in 'a "a 'manner similar to that ldescribed 'for Cleaning the ugrain surface of 'theLhide Ylifter the leading f edge of the hide has been carried past the fourth Acutter tt itis brought lto the discharge ,conveyor 49 vby which it is led `frofn lthe apparatus. v'Ihe hide -with lthe four 'beam-'house roperatierrs oom- ;pleted in one pass through the apparatus Ais 'then ready'for such further processing as maybe desired.

Described in application to Atheyperiorniance of beam-house operations on a hide, 'it `will be evident that the apparatus of the ,present invenif vtion is also applicable to the performance of vadditional or different treatments on hides and to 'the processing of other sheet material. Thus, 'on hides, the arrangement, type, size, number .or other characteristics of both Work-supporting iii-unis and their `associated Vmechanisins can be varied as necessary and kthe Huid j ets can be ein'- ployedto impregnate the hides with tantnages,v

dyes, cleaning iluids, 'dehydrates or the "like in 'place Adi or in addition to their described funcillS.

Lrfroiu the above detailed description of the invention it will 'be apparent that there has been provided improved apparatus for treating 'sheet material which is adapted particularly to vthe application of a series of treatments Ito both sides of the material as a continuous operation. While the invention has been described with particular reference to the treating of hides, will 'be understood that the described and disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention and that all modiiieations, both in the `form of the apparatus `and its application, are in,- tended to be included'a's do not `depart either from the spiritr'of the invention or the scope 'of the appended claims. l

Having 'now' described my invention, I claim:

l. Apparatus for treating individual `,sheets oi material, comprising a plurality of v'Worin-supporting drums arranged in sequence, means als- "R le sociated with each of said drums for treating .said material, means for `gripping said material to the exterior oi each of saiddruins, said means being adapted 'to present an entire surface ci said material 'to the associated treating means,

"supports .for treating said material during its travel through said apparatus.

v3. Apparatus for treating individual sheets of inat'e'rial, comprising a plurality of work-'supporting drums adapted in sequence to receive and .support said material, means associ-ated 'with ea'ch 'f said drums for treating said material, and means 'acting 'on 'a lface of said material 'for `gripping vsaid material 'to each or" said drums, said means being constructed and arranged to enable each of said drums to present an entire surface of said material to said treating means.

4. Apparatus for treating individual sheets of material eomprising a ,plurality of W'Ork-sllpvporting drums, means associated with said drums for treating .sai-d material, and means for gripping said material Vto each or l'said drums and presenting an entire surface of said material yto said treating means, :said gripping Vmeans being constructed vand arranged to enable said .matelial to travel thrclugh'said 'apparatus in a 'cohvtinuoi'is "path with the same edge .in the lead.

5. Apparatus "for treating 'hides comprising a pairof Work-supporting drums, means associated with each Io'f said drums for treating a'hide, said drums 'being adapted to receive vsaid hide Sin 'sequence and each present an opposite face of said hide to said treating means, `and lmeans for gripping said hide to each 'of 'said' drums, said vmeans being constructed 'and arranged lto enable the opposite 'faces of said hide to be treated A"in Atheir entireties in a single pass through said apparatus.

` 6. `ifipparatu's lfor treating hides comprising a plurality 'of hide-supporting drums arranged tto receive and support 'a hide on their surfaces in sequence, means associated 'with said drums for treating said hide, means for gripping said hide to each iof said drums in treating means confronting position, and means enabling said hide to be transferred Jfrom vthesurface of one drum to vthat f "the next 'succeeding 'drum regardless gripping the entire hide tol the surface of said drums, and means enabling said hide 'to be transferred from vone drum to the next succeeding B. Apparatus for treating hides comprising hide=suppcrting drum, means 'associated with said drum for treating said hide, means for gripping said hide to said drum in treating means confronting position, and means operated by said hide yforactuating said treating means in timed relftili t() .the travel '0f said *hide Overs-aid drum,

9. Apparatus for" tre-ating sheetl work comprising-a rotary Work-supporting drum, a plurality of devices associated with and positioned in spaced stations along said drum for tre-ating said work, and means operated by said Work for causing said treating means to treat said Work in timed relation to the travel of said Work through said treating stations..

10. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a -plurality of work-supporting drums, said drums being arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, rotary means associated with said drums and adapted to engage said hide, and high pressure fluid jet means associated with said drums, said jet means :being constructed and arranged to apply uid jets under high pressure sufficient to penetrate said hide and sever natural and foreign matter therefrom, said rotary means and jets cooperating to treat said hide.

11. Apparatus for treatin-g hides comprising a plurality of work-supporting drums adapted to receive and support a hide in sequence and expose opposite faces thereof for treatment, and high pressure iiuid jets associated With each of said drums and directable against said hide for severing' and removing natural matter from said opposite faces of said hide.

12. In an apparatus for removing excess matter from hides a plurality of work-supporting drums arranged to receive and support a hide, said drums sequentially engaging opposite faces of said hide, and fluid press-ure means associated with each of said drums and constructed and arranged to apply fluid jets to the confronting surface of said hide under sufficient pressure to remove all undesired natural and foreign matter therefrom. e

13. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of work-supporting drums, said drums being arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, vacuum means :associated with each of said drums for uniformly gripping a hide to its Work-supporting surface, and means for releasing'the gripping action of said vacuum means on one of said drums adjacent its place of coni hide in sequence, meansfor gripping said hide to the work-supporting surface of each of said drums, rotary cutters spaced around the periphery of each of saiddrums and normally removed therefrom, said cutters being adapted to extend substantially across the Work-supporting face of their associated drum, means for causing said cutters to engage and treat said hide, and means for distributing the pressure applied .by said cutters equally over the surface of said hide.

15. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of ro-tary work-supporting drums, said drums being arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence as it travels through said apparatus, with adjacent drums engaging opposite faces of said hide, suction means for gripping said hide uniformly to each of said drums, a plurality of treating -devices associated with each of said drums and stationed in spaced relation around the periphery of said drum, and means actuated by said hide for causing said treating devices to act upon said hide in timed relation to the travel of said hide over each of said drums.

hide in sequence as it travels through said apparatus, a plurality of rotary Working tools associated With each of said drums and stationed in spaced position around the periphery thereof for treating said hide, said tools being reciprocable radially of and normally spaced from the associated drum, and means for moving said tools into and out of engagement with said hide in timed relation to the travel of said hide around said drum.

1'7. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of rotary Work-supporting drums arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, each of said drums having a resilient perforate work-supporting surface, a plurality of rotary devices associated with each of said drums and stationed in spaced positions around the periphery thereof for treating said hide, said rotary devices being adapted to extend substantially across their respective drums, means for applying subatmospheric pressure to the interior of each of said drums for gripping and presenting an entire surface of said hide to said treating devices, and means actuated by said hide for causing said devices to treat simultaneously different portions of said hide.

18. Apparatus for treating hides, comprising a rotary Work-supporting drum, a plurality of rotary Working tools associated with said drum and stationed in spaced positions around the periphery thereof for treating a hide supported on said drum, said tools being normally spaced from and reciprocable substantially radially of said drum, actuating means for reciprocating and rotating said tools, photoelectric cells adjacent said tool stations and adapted to be tripped by said hide, and means connecting said photoelectric cells to said actuating means for causing said tools to treat said hide in timed relation to the travel of said hide around said drum.

19. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of Work-supporting drums, said drums being arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, vacuum means associated with each of said drums for gripping a hide by suction to its Work-supporting surface, and means rendering ineffective the suction on the surface of one of said drums adjacent its place of convergence with the next succeeding drum, thereby enabling said hide to be transferred to said succeeding drum.

20. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of drums arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, sub-atmospheric pressure means associated with each of said drums 16. Apparatus for treating hides, comprising a drums being arranged to receive and support a for gripping said hide by suction to the exterior surface thereof, means for feeding said hide to said first drum and removing said hide from said last drum, and means for rendering ineifective the suction over portions of the exterior surfaces of said drums to enable said hide to be transferred successively from each of said drums to the next succeeding drum and frgm said last drum to said removing means.

21. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of drums arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, sub-atmospheric pressure means associated with each of said drums for gripping said hide by suction to the exterior surface thereof, means associated with said drums and operated by said hide for treating said hide in timed relation to its travel over said drums, means for feeding said hide to said first drum and removing said hide from said last drum, and means for rendering ineffective the suction over portions of the exterior surfaces of said 1li drums to enabley said hide to be transierred suecessvely fromV each of said drums to the next Succeeding` drum and fromE said last drum to said removing means.

22.. Apparatus for treating hides comprising a plurality of work supports arranged to receive and support a hide in sequence, sub-atmospheric pressure means associated with each of said work supports for gripping said hide by suction to the exterior surface thereof, means for feedingr said hide to said first Work support and removing said hideI from said last Work support, andmeans for rendering ineffective the suction over portions of the exterior surfaces of said Work supports to enable said hide to be transferred successively from each of said Work supports to the next vsucceeding Work. support and from said last Work support to said removing means.

23. Apparatus for treating individual. sheets of material comprising a rotary Work-supporting drum, a plurality of rotary means positioned in spaced stations along said drum, and reoiprocble substantially radially thereof for treating said Work, and means operated by said Work for causing said treating means to treat said work in timed relation to the travel of said Work under said ro'- tary treating means.

24. Apparatus for treating hides, comprising a plurality of hollow Work-supporting drums arranged in sequence, each of said drums having a perforate Work-carrying wall, said Wall being multi-layered, the inner of said layers being formed of relatively rigid material, the Workengaging layer being formed of relatively` hard resilient material, and the portion of said Wall intermediate said inner and outer layers being formed of relatively soft resilient material, each ci said drums being adapted to exert a gripping force at its outer surface on application of subatmospheric pressure to theI interior thereof, and iiuid pressure means on one of said drums for neutralizing said force over a predetermined area of its outer surface and enabling said hide to be transferred to the succeeding drum.

25. Apparatus ior treating individual sheets of material, comprising a plurality of Work-supporting drums arranged in sequence, means consisting of fluid jets associated with each oi said drums for treating said material, means for gripping said material to the exterior oi each of said drums', said means being adapted to present an entire surface or said material to the associated treating and means enabling said material to be transferred from one to the next of said rolls.

26; Apparatus forl treating individual sheets oi material, comprising av plurality of Work-supporting rolls adapted in' sequence' to receive and sup.- p'ort said material, means consisting of fluid jets associated with. eac-h oi said: drums for treating said material, and means acting on a face 'of said material for gripping said material to each of said rolls, said means being constructed' and arranged to enable each of sai-d rolls to present an entire surfacev 'of said material to said treating means.

2'?. Apparatus for treating hides having grain and flesh surfaces, comprising a .plurality ol' Work stations, means for treating the entire gral-n. surface of a hide in a single pass at one of 'said Work stations, means for transferring said hide to another Work station, and means 'for treating the entire flesh surface' of said hide at said second won; station.

ROBERT H. GRIFFIN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 141,423 Brown Aug. 5, 1873 312,022 Scott Feb. 10', 1835 425,112 Straiton v Apr. 8, 1890 596,192 Dunkerley Oct. 3, 1,893 519,345 Puech May 8, 1894 669,489 Keeney v Dec. 24, 1901 742,115 Forbes 1903 771,644 Kempf 1904 starac Whitney Dec. s, 1907 1,911.9 i -larris s Oct.l 15, 1912 1,053,297 Kehrilahn- Feb. 18,` 1913 1,383,133 Lucke' .i June 28, 1921 1,496,025 Ruhe June 3,. 19124 1,592,964 Barber July I3, 1926 1,627,882 Berry May 10,1927 1,701,226 Collins Feb.v 5, 1929 1,705,177 Diescher Mar. 12, 1929 lflsli De Grai f Oct.. 15, 1929 1,7%,281 ODonnell Apr. 15, 1930 1,807,669 ODonnell v June v2, 1931 2,169,754 Beyster Aug. l5, 1939 2,174,864 Barber 1 Oct. 3, 193.9 2,358,334 Knowlton Sept. 19, 1944 2,384,691 Nott et al Sept. l1, 194.5

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date l1,3"4'1 Great Britain of 1869 452,578 Germany Nov. 14, 1927 

